Chin-rest for horses



(No Model.)

J.-F. MQLENNANI. GHIN BEST FOR HORSES..

No. 572,648. Patented Dec. 8, 1896.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. MCLENNAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CHIN-REST FOR HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 572,648, dated December 8, 1896.

Application filed March 21, 1896- Serial No. 584,288. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. MOLENNAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chin-Rests for Horses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a rest for the chin or lower jaw of a horse; and it consists in certain peculiarities of the construction, novel arrangement, and operation of the parts thereof, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a chin-rest for horses which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction, strong and durable, and effective in operation; second, a chin-rest which shall be so constructed that it will afford a soft, yielding, and springing rest for the horses chin which will not chafe, rub, or irritate the animals flesh, and, third, a chin-rest which shall be so combined with the checkrein as to cause the horse to carry his head in a raised and graceful position, and will allow him perfect freedom in the upward or lateral movement of his head, yet will restrain him from lowering it and will prevent the habit of lolling or extending the tongue, which habit is often acquired and caused by the use of a bit within the mouthof the .horse secured to the checkrein, whereas in my chin-rest the pressure is applied to the lower part of the under jaw or chin, which relieves the animal from the pain and annoyance incident to a check-bit, which is generally placed in the mouth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it, referring to the accompanying drawings,

in which- Figure 1 is a perspective 'view of the head and a portion of the neck of a horse, showing my chin-rest in position and secured to the checkrein or strap. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the chin-rest detached. enlarged cross-sectional view of. a portion of the rest,showing the construction of the pneumatic cushion and its covering. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the frame of the chin-rest with the cushion removed. Fig. 5

Fig. 3 is an is a detail View of the pneumatic cushion removed from the frame; and Fig. 6 is a crosssectional View of a portion of the rest, showing a modification in the construction of the cushion.

Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the different views of the drawings.

A represents the frame of the rest, which is made of wire and substantially U-shaped, as shown. The upper portion of each of the side pieces a is formed into a coiled spring a, and is then extended rearwardly and formed with a loop o in which the ends of the prongs b of the checkrein or strap B are secured, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The checkrein B is passed over the top of the head of the horse, through a suitable sustaining device on the bridle, (not shown,) and may have its upper end secured to the harnesssaddle in the ordinary and well-known manner. The-lower portion of the frame is divided or spread to form the parallel or widened portions 0, on the top of which rests a fiat piece 0, of leather or other suitable material. On this fiat piece is placed and secured by means of a covering D a pneumatic cushion E, which is rounded in cross-section and tapers toward its ends, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The coveringD therefor is of a corresponding shape and is secured together by means of stitches d, or otherwise, and sustains the cushion. on the frame, as is apparent.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings I have shown a modification in the construction of the cushion of the chin-rest, in which construction the pneumatic cushion is omitted and a quantity of padding F, of hair or other suitable material, is placed on the pieceO and is held in position thereon by means of the covering D, which is shaped and secured as above set forth.

While I may sometimes use the cushion as constructed in Fig. 6 and just above described, yet I prefer to employ the pneumatic cushion, for the reason that it is light and less liable to become saturated with perspiration or moisture and thereby being rendered hard and unyielding.

From the foregoing and by reference to the drawings it will be seen and readily understood that the chin-rest is held in position by means of the forks b of the checkrein, which, as before stated, are secured to the loops a of the frame, and that as the spring-coils extend forwardly from said loops a yielding pressure is attained which will not be uncomfortable to the animal, but will cause him to carry his head raised and in a graceful manner. It is also apparent that by employing the springs or coils a, which are located at a forwardly-extending angle relative to the side pieces and upper ends of the frame, the device will be protected from injury by reason of the downward thrust or movement of the horses head.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an improved article of manufacture, a chin-rest for horses,com prising aframe substantially U-shaped, widened at its bottom and bent at its upper portion to form springs and rearward extensions adapted to be connected to the checkrein or strap, and a cushion located on the lower portion of the frame, substantially as described.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a chin-rest for horses, composed of the frame A,formed substantially U -shaped, and spread or widened at its lower portion, its upper por- JOHN F. MOLENNAN.

lVitnesses:

CHAS. C. TILLMAN, E. A. DUGGAN. 

